Intro – With Jordan Johnson and Mike Koral out with long term injuries and Nathan Cotterell on duty with Nantwich Town it looked a very strange line-up with four defenders and six midfield players. A new player on view was midfielder Justin Pickering who began the season with Curzon Ashton and came on the recommendation of Curzon boss and former Blues manager John Flanagan.

First Half –

There was a shock for the Blues in the first minute when a through ball evaded the defence and Mike Langley had to race out to save with his feet. The jarring interception left the Custodian in obvious distress and there looked to be considerable doubt if he would be able to carry on. However, a little expert treatment from physio Steve Foden saw him make a speedy if painful recovery.

The hosts replied with Ryan Steele trying his luck from distance following good link-up play with Scott Taylor.

GOAL!! Winsford opened the scoring in a slightly fortuitous fashion when Callum Gardner’s free kick into the area was missed by a Darwen defender and the ball bounced up and hit another defender on the arm. Although not intentional the ball would almost certainly have gone to a Blues forward and the Referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. Gardner himself stepped up to drive the ball high into the left corner.

The hosts continued to pile on the pressure but it took a timely goal-line clearance by Danny Kerr to prevent the equaliser, one minute later Alex Ralph’s free kick in a dangerous position was blocked by a well organised wall. At the other end Lee Duckworth’s well placed free kick flew across the six-yard box when any sort of touch would surely have seen a second goal.

Danny Kerr was perhaps a little lucky to stay on the field when he hauled down Daniel Banks on the edge of the area but the Referee deemed a yellow was sufficient punishment.

A series of free kicks given away in dangerous areas put the Blues under pressure but once again the visitors failed to find a way past the wall.

There was an amazing escape for Winsford on 34 minutes when Langley’s miskicked clearance went straight to Kiel Lonsdale forty yards out but, with the goalkeeper desperately pedalling back, his opportunist strike hit the angle of the bar and upright and was cleared by a relieved home defence.

A further series of free kicks had the Blues back four scrambling around and in first half injury time Langley was in action again making a great stop from Ryan McKenna. With the last action of the half Lonsdale’s header saw Langley tip the ball over the bar.

Second Half –

A well-oiled offside trap was working well for the Blues in the early stages of the second period. The home side were given a boost with the introduction of Danny Hudson. Still some way off his form of early last season but still looking a threat to defences with his strong running.

GOAL!! The Blues added to their lead on the hour mark when the visitors defence made a hash of a clearance and Hudson was the first to react linking well with James Rothwell who drew goalkeeper Macauley Scott off his line before sliding the ball home from the narrowest of angles.

There was a let-off for the Blues one minute later when Ryan McKenna with just Langley to beat, opted for a little bit of showboating, but then blazed the ball high over the bar much to the delight of the home supporters.

Will Foster was as reliable as ever at the centre of the defence and his interception on 65 minutes relieved a dangerous situation.

Justin Pickering replaced Ryan Steele and proved to be just as skilful with his runs down the right flank and like Steele he showed he was prepared to take on defenders one-on-one.

The were further chances for the hosts, the best falling to Hudson but his efforts were off target but promising much for the future.

At the other end Ralph carved his way into the box but with just Langley to beat his sliced the ball into the side netting.

Verdict – A steady if unspectacular performance that took Winsford to third place in the league. With Koral and Johnson some way off returning the management team will be looking for new faces, in particular up front.

Blues Man-of-the-Match

Michael Langley

Series of fine saves

Next Best

James Rothwell

Out to prove he deserves a start and a fine goal.

As voted by the opponents

Michael Langley

Opponents Man-of-the-Match

Mark McKay

Match Rating

A A A

Blues Rating

A A A

About Us

Winsford United Football Club is a semi-professional football club based in Winsford, Cheshire that has enjoyed a long proud history as full members of The Football Association. The club was founded in 1883 and are nicknamed The Blues. The club is currently a member of the North West Counties League Premier Division, with home matches played at Barton Stadium.

WINSFORD UNITED FOOTBALL CLUB LIMITED IS REGISTERED AT COMPANIES HOUSE AS BEING A COMPANY LIMITED BY SHARES: COMPANY NUMBER 0435726